China factory blast kills 4, hurts 16; 2 missing

June 2, 2011 4:24:35 AM PDT

BEIJING, China --

Authorities say an explosion at a factory making aluminum products in northwestern China has killed at least four people and injured 16. Two more workers were listed as missing. The explosion early Thursday ripped apart a workshop at the Xinjiang Yuansheng Technology Development Ltd. factory outside the Xinjiang regional capital of Urumqi.

The cause of the blast was under investigation.

An explosion last month at a western China plant that makes Apple iPads was blamed on combustible dust in a workshop that polishes products. Three employees were killed in that explosion in the city of Chengdu.

Businesses in China have been moving into the hinterland where wages are cheaper and regulation weaker.